There are an estimated 153,000 smokers in Hawaii. Their habit creates millions of dollars for the state.

Instead of preventing more residents from smoking, there is a current effort to cash in on their addiction.

At Honolulu Bowls smoke shop, loose tobacco products are hot sellers. They allow smokers to cut their costs in half, by rolling their own cigarettes.

"They save a lot of money. It can be a big savings, and that is important because everything is tight these days," said Kumu Kapule, with Honolulu Bowls.

Honolulu Bowls and other tobacco businesses could take a big hit though if some state lawmakers get their way. Senator Rosalyn Baker introduced a bill that would boost taxes on loose tobacco and other tobacco products, which would make them just as expensive as cigarettes.

"Because our tax on cigarettes got real high people were looking for alternatives. Those alternative are just as deadly as cigarettes," said Baker.

The measure is advancing through the State Capitol, but not all lawmakers are convinced the state should raise taxes because of health concerns.

"It has nothing to do with health. It has everything to do with the money. The state wants to keep smokers alive so they can keep pumping money into their coffers," said Senator Sam Slom.

The amount of money the state gets from smokers and tobacco is substantial, and those numbers are growing every year.

In the year 2000, the tax on each pack of cigarettes was $1, that revenue added up to $40 million for the state.